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Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:07:13 -0800

Social Media Marketing - From a Marketers Perspective

I read a lot. There's a lot to read. I get my Google alerts daily and I scan blogs of interest discussing, debating and reviewing the benefits, metrics and realities of SMM. There's a lot of valuable banter happening out there in the stratosphere.

I thought I would take a minute to write just a plain old marketers view of how social media is impacting how I market. Because it is impacting what I do and for those folks not yet engaged in all of the benefits that social media has to offer - this might give you some insight as to why its time to step it up.

My role, what I do and what I love to do is promote Awareness - our events, community and our thought leadership content through any and every avenue possible. I have fun doing this because the world of social media allows me to engage with and follow folks who have the same interests and want to hear what I have to say - and vice versa.

Awhile back we (myself and my stellar sidekick and web guru Lucas) began the tedious task of placing ourselves in as many strategic locations as we could - to name a few; Digg, Delicious, Technorati, StumbleUpon, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Friendfeed and so on, and so on.

I have made it a point to follow folks that want to hear about social media - not just anyone to 'collect names and numbers'. We also made it a point to build a website around information - not a sales pitch (although of course sales is our ultimate goal). We want our prospects to be knowledgeable. That knowledge will lead them to the right decision. So when we drive people to our site via viral strategies they get what they expected. Content. My 'friends' are a mixture of both personal and professional and I do my best to not only talk about SMM but let people see a bit of my nature as well. I don't think it has to be all business all of the time. Although a smidge daunting and overwhelming to be 'everywhere' as much as possible, the effort has most assuredly paid off.

Facebook and Twitter are now in the top 10 of our referring sites. Not falling far behind are Digg, StumbleUpon and the like. Through these avenues I can promote our company but more importantly the events and thought leadership content being created on our community. The numbers speak for themselves. It pays to engage. More so, to have a voice - to speak up and to let people know that you have value to add. Recently we held a webinar with Josh Bernoff that brought in about 1000 registrants - 25% of which came to us via the aforementioned social media sites as well as our own community. Not bad!

So my advice to fellow marketers is this; build a community. Engage with your customers, partners, prospects and peers. Have a voice. Listen and learn from others. Use social media tools to help build your brand. There is value - and there is a way to measure ROI you just need to engage to ask the right questions to get it. It works. What I'm doing here at Awareness is proof and I truly believe we've only begun to hit the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

http://tcammett.awarenessnetworks.com/default.asp?mode=blog

http://tcammett.stumbleupon.com/review/25194231/

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:45:07 -0700

So, Tomorrow I Quit!

I've been a smoker for over 20 years.� When I write that it almost sickens me...that's a long time.� I'm only 34.� I don't know why today is different than any other day, I've just had it today.� I have had a cough for a year, pneumonia 2x's this year, my chest is fucking killing me well, when your body talks, its usually best to listen.� It's not just smoking, it's the wine that accompanies my cigarettes.� They both need to leave town for a bit and let me get back to just me, myself and I.�

Here's the thing, I want to actually be around for a very long time - I may very well have missed my chance at that but it's high time I started to at least try to preserve myself?� So, I've decided to write about 'The Quitting'. Chronicle it all for posterity and all that jazz.� In the very least, use it as a source for venting what I predict to be a bit of a bumpy ride.� I'm just hoping those around me come out of it all unscathed.�

So tomorrow's the day.� Bye bye Parliments, my beloved and dedicated friend....I will miss you so....� More to follow.�

http://tcammett.stumbleupon.com/review/24187154/

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:35:20 -0700

Is Social Media Really Just a Nudist Colony?

The title of my blog was inspired by a Twitter exchange between Chris Brogan and I. Although I had no intentions of using it and the mention was purely in jest, I thought about the validity of it today driving into the office. It makes sense because well, aren't we all really somewhat 'naked' in this world of social media, hence, creating a community (or a colony) of nudists?

Social media allows for a 'rawness' that previously hasn't been available in the world of how we communicate. It's now acceptable to befriend your CEO, colleagues and acquaintances on Facebook, and the like, allowing them insight into your personal life, your personality, those that you choose to surround yourself with and what you find interesting. It's a world in which diversity is celebrated and promoted. The geeks, the intellects, the witty and so on. We're all here, dancing around somewhat naked letting others peek through the window and be voyeurs into our lives.

Why? How is this effective? It's simple; it's a lot easier to listen and to exchange when there is humanity. When interaction is brought to a more personal level we tend to find commonalities. For some, that's easy, for others, not so much. Personally, I'm an open book. What you see is what you get and if you can't see it, I'm more than happy to share with you anything that you'd like to know. I am sure there are some secrets and skeletons but I don't exactly have bones falling out of my mouth every time I open it. I'm not actually yellow as my picture might suggest, but that's just me having fun with my Mac. Befriend me on Facebook and you can see me in full color.

We're continually reading all of the recent studies regarding how companies are adopting Web 2.0 and social media. Within these metrics exist a variety of companies that still haven't. My only conclusion is that they are afraid to take their clothes off. When we stand raw and naked we open ourselves up to not just approval but criticism as well. That frightful moment of wondering, what do they think of me? Perhaps executives and employees alike have yet to find their voice or have no interest in hearing what others have to say - but they should, it's truly inspiring. By allowing people to network, connect and communicate your only increasing their abilities and tools to learn from one other. When has knowledge ever been a bad thing?

I'm having a blast hearing what others have to say, more importantly, I'm learning things that I otherwise may not have known. I also am utilizing this avenue as a means to have a voice for Awareness and myself. I have no problem being naked with ya'll. Flaws and all.

Cheers!